I can't afford kittens. Should I bring my pregnant cat to the Animal Shelter?

Sweetie, I'm so sorry. You've gone through a lot. I can only imagine how difficult a decision like this must be. And it is a serious one. But what's best for our kitties are often the hardest decisions there are to make because we love them so much.

I very strongly believe that pets are for life. I know you do too, and that's why this is especially difficult for you. But life doesn't always work out the way we want it to. I think this is an incredibly responsible way to look at the situation - what's best for Rugly. And given the circumstances... I do think because of her potential need for medical care, and for the health of her kittens, it's the right thing to do long term. Having four boys on your own has got to be difficult as it is.

Sorry to hear about your life's troubles.

As for the cat, I'd suggest calling the shelters and/or vets to see what they suggest. Sometimes vets and shelters let you work off the bills (helping around the office and such), that way you won't have to give up your baby.

This may be an unpopular response but here I go:
I think you should take both your cats to a shelter, if they will have them - preferably a no kill shelter or a rescue. I understand your inability to take care of the kittens and money being low. But since you do not believe in spaying and neutering your cats, your other cat - if a boy - may be impregnating others in the area or if it's a girl, may be coming home pregnant and so this saga continues. Also since your financial resources are low now, understandably, if any emergency occurs and your cats need medical attention (other than kitten related issues) they may suffer. If they are well bonded (as seen in your siggy)- maybe after their spay and neuter (which will happen if a shelter/ rescues take them), they can be adopted out together or may be treated by a rescue as they do their TNRs. Either ways, they will be safe and together and may not have to go through losing a buddy, along with losing you.

There are many of us here who've have rough lives, many losses and have been through a lot of hardship and have emerged on the other side of what seemed like insurmountable difficulties. I wish you all the best that you can overcome all your problems soon.

I agree with LDG, Catsinmypajamaz. Sometimes the hardest decision is the right one to make and under your tough circumstances, I think this is one of those times.

And if your kitties truly are bonded, I think they should also go together.

Many <<<hugs>>>.

AC

Being that most shelters are basically slaughterhouses for cats and dogs, no. Very few shelters have the resources to deal with a pregnant cats or newborn kittens. Unless you can find a good, well-run, well-funded no-kill shelter that actually has room to take her and her many kittens, they will all just be killed. If a kill shelter is the only option you have in the area, she'd be better off with you taking her chances at not having a medical emergency. And then if there is a medical emergency you could take them to the shelter if that was the only option. And of course look into low-cost spay/neuter so this doesn't happen again.

Where do you live? Maybe someone here knows of a good no-kill in the area.

Actually, the best option is a foster network type of rescue. Catsinmypajamas, if you want to give us a county and a state, we can help you search. If you want to keep that information private, please feel free to PM me, and I'll help you search. It doesn't mean you have to give Rugly - or both of them - up. It'll just help you understand the options.

Hi Chelsea
I have no experience with what you are going through, so I can't give you really great advice, except one: Please accept Laurie's help (LDG) - I don't think, truly, you can be in better hands on this forum
I am so sorry life has been so unkind to you... I know your furbabies mean a great deal to you, so I am not going to be one to tell you to give them up either. I have read your earlier posts where you have said when you were on your very bottom, their hugs and purrs brought you back to life and kept you going.... And there is no price for that.... They are our family , so who am I to tell you to take her to a shelter?
If there is an option out there to help you out, I would urge you to please seek this help and weigh in your options....
So this doesn't happen in the future, and you never ever ever face this situation again, please spay her after she gives birth. Neuter your boy so another family doesn't go through what you are going through now....
I really do hope all gets sorted and you accept and find the help you need to keep your baby girl

Just my two cents.
About a month ago two cats were abandoned on my property. Brother sister I'm thinking.
The no-kill/rescues in my area (I'm taking a 45-60 mile radius) are at capacity and not accepting any cats or dogs. I got really luck with the (yes) pregnant female and basically shamed a rescue into taking her. I mentioned my situation with Nub e and said I can feed until a foster opens but she would be taking kittens in the next 2-3 weeks.

They would not take her brother. Most of my friends are at capacity for pets. I put what I thought (written from the cats persective with photos) ad on craigslist. checked the local lost and found at the small area grocer and asked some neighbors (most do not have cats anyway). I'm trying another rescue through a co-workers whose sister does a lot of volunteering. I know the humane societies like others stated are a dealth sentence despite the fact this is a very loving (not neutered) male.

Maybe if the health problem with Nub-e didn't exist, no my husband doesn't want 5 cats and I have to agree.

So its really tough in this economic climate to place one in a rescue if no one is excepting any. The local attitude is if there is someone to do a minimal amount of fostering with no cost to the rescue they are not going to worry about that cat. To them it has a home they are focusing on abandoned and homeless cats.

So this cat lives in my garages and outside. He is well fed/watered/litter box/blanket and I do give him attention when I am outside.

This would probably will the best option.
It's sad that there are just too many cats around and the rescues are over extended.

I think you are making a difficult, but necessary decision, out of love for your kitties. You should definitely take LDG up on her offer for help with networking-a rescue would be the best for Rugly and her kittens.

Mama cats and their kittens need alot of costly care. If she had any problem giving birth, the rescue would have the resources to help her deliver safely.

I know how hard it is, but it shows how much you love her and want the best for her.

Hun, to you. Honestly, I think any situation would be better for them than what they have right now. That being said, I know you love your cats so very much or you wouldn't be here posting and asking for advice. I hope you love them enough to follow through with the effort needed to place them and if you explain your situation and don't give up, someone will step up and assist you. As difficult as it will be on you, it will be better for your cats. With Rugly's kiittens coming soon, I would start today with make calls. Take Laurie up on her offer to help you locate some options in your area. I am sorry for your situation, truly am. Sometimes the best thing for our loved cats, isn't the best thing for ourselves. Sending you and . We are here to support you any way we can

Catsinmypajamaz, I tried to send you a private message, but your box is full.

Laurie

OH BOY!!! Kittens already.... Ok, that is great news you found a shelter to take you cats. I know this hard for you, hun. But you ARE doing the best thing for your cats. I would let Rugly have her kittens in your house. Call the shelter and let them know that Rugly is having them now and see what they recommend you do. They will probably have a foster that could take on Rugly and the kittens . Usually, there are many fosters (at least in my area) willing to take a mom and her kittens until the kittens are old enough. How is it going????? Any kittens yet?

Good advice. Hope all is well.

how's the kitties? Did she give birth yet?